almost natural shelter by architecture + other things

almost natural shelter by architecture + other things
images courtesy of architecture + other things unless noted otherwise
above: chito pachica

the anthropocene is a proposed geological era emerged from the significant impact of the human race on the planet’s natural ecological systems. global precedents of environmental devastation and neglect have placed, and continue to do so, our species and countless others in a precarious situation. architecture + other things, a collaborative studio composed of architects faysal tabbarah, khawla al hashimi and nada taryam, questions the creation of structural design and aesthetics in the current planetary epoch in their work, ‘almost natural shelter’.

looking outwards
photo courtesy of juan roldan

utilizing computational design methods in tandem with chemically-aided hand fabrication, ‘almost natural shelter’ is an experimental blurring of natural and synthetic; a concept born from the anthropocene. a five-axis mill shaped the form, made of high-density polystyrene (EPS), which was followed by a coating of epoxy, fiberglass, and wooden slats. a bit paradoxical in materials selection — speaking of human impact — the use of EPS allowed the team to push the concept further by hand-shaping the interior. analog tools including a hot-wire cutter, heat gun, and a spray that creates a dissolving effect characterize the synthetic interior, giving it textural and spatial constructs of an ‘almost natural’ quality. 

textural arcs
photo courtesy of chito pachica

detail shot
photo courtesy of ammar kalo

interior texture detail 
photo courtesy of ammar kalo

‘project name’ at exhibition  
photo courtesy of ammar kalo

timber exterior construction

texturing progress

analog tools used to create the form include a hot-wire cutter and heat gun

in progress: epoxy resin and fiberglass applied on the outside increase bonding and lateral stability

‘project name’ by architecture + other things

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